Latest news 13-06-2024

Preventing show-related infection

How is infection spread?
Many of the infections that affect rats are airborne (that is they can spread to any rat who shares the same airspace). The bacteria/virus is held in tiny droplets of moisture when sneezed or breathed out by one rat and is then inhaled by another. Another mechanism of spread is by direct contact where an infection passes directly from one animal to another, or it can be passed indirectly via a third party. This could be on your hands, your clothes or other personal items. A few infections are passed from mother to baby in utero or at the time of birthing.

Exposure to some pathogens is healthy
Pathogens are micro-organisms that cause illness. Immune systems need to 'practice' to be strong and healthy, so trying to over-protect your rats by using lots of disinfectants and never allowing them out of the house is not the answer. This will only mean that, should your rat find itself exposed to pathogens in any number (perhaps at a visit to the vet), the chances of its immune system fighting off the infection are reduced.

Differences in immunity can be easily seen in the situation where a nasty infection hits a large colony of rats. Some rats will be very badly affected and die, some rats will be affected but (usually with the help of treatments) will fight the infection and survive, and some rats will only ever be mildly affected. The rats who are first to succumb to any infectious illness are generally those with a weaker immune system.

Apart from 'over protection' what else reduces immune system health?

• Poor diet lacking in essential nutrients.
• Stress - unhappy cage relationships, environment stressors (such as loud, unexpected noise or the presence of predators), fear of any reason, under-stimulation.
• Age - the very young and the very old are more vulnerable to infection.
• Cancer.
• Illness, especially chronic background infections.
• Antibiotics, Metacam and some other medications can reduce digestive health and therefore reduce nutrient absorption.
• Steroids.
• Surgery.

Boosting immunity
Strong immune systems have a large genetic influence, so rats from unknown rescue/pet shop backgrounds may be more at risk.

Immune system health can be boosted by:

• a good quality diet,
• adequate rest (impossible if a rat is stressed),
• exercise,
• reasonable exposure to background levels of bacteria (giving the immune system something to practice on).

Bringing in new rats
It is not traditional in the UK to worry too much about quarantining new rats. Many people just put the newcomers straight in with their existing rats. At best they might keep them in a separate cage for a few days, but in the same house (often the same room) and will move freely from one group to the other and exercise them in the same place. In reality, if the incoming rats are from a reputable breeder who you know would quarantine any incoming rescues or rats of unknown background, then the risks are small (unless the breeder has been to a show within the past two weeks at a time when there is an active bout of infection within the fancy). The problems arise when the incoming rats are from an unknown source - perhaps rats from a pet shop or rescues whose history is not known. It is important to remember that not all rats carrying something nasty will appear terribly ill. What looks like a minor case f sneezing and sniffles in a robust 4 month old rat could wipe out your aging population.

Adequate quarantining
In order to protect your own rats, it is important that newcomers you are not 100% sure about are kept in a separate airspace - this would have to be an outbuilding, garage or a friend's home (who does not currently have rats). A separate room in your own home is still sharing the same airspace, but is obviously better than them being in the same room. You will also need to change and wash between handling the incomers and handling your own rats. This will prevent you from passing on the pathogens by contact.

If the incoming rats seem completely well after being with you for two weeks, then they are safe to introduce to your own rats. If they have experienced any illness in this two-week period, you should wait until two weeks after recovery. The exception to this is if you are fostering a litter from an unknown source/background. Then you have to wait for approximately 4 weeks after they are fully weaned to make sure that they don't display any symptoms of illness. This is because they will initially have maternal antibodies from the milk, which can mask infection.

Quarantining after active infection
If you are unlucky enough to have an infection within your rats, the general rules for quarantine are that for a period of three weeks from the last rat recovering you should not:

• go to any rattie gatherings,
• go to visit people who own rats,
• let these people visit you,
• let rats from your colony leave your home (except to go to the vet),
• bring new rats into your colony.

If you have any mums with babies, you will need to extend this period of quarantine (for all your rats) until 4 weeks after the babies are weaned. However, some specific infections are shed from the body for much longer periods. So it is always essential if at all possible to have tests carried out to determine the cause of any infectious illness.

Keeping shows and gatherings safe
Do not attend at all if you have an active infection amongst your rats.
Do not bring your rats if you have:

• taken in a newcomer within the previous three weeks (unless you are absolutely sure of the safe background of your new rat). Remember if the newcomer is from a reputable breeder who has been to a show in the previous two weeks then there is a small element of risk. Also if you collected the newcomer at a gathering or show the same small risk applies. In these cases the two-week rule should be applied.
• had any sudden deaths or acute infectious illnesses (illness in a previously well rat, or a sudden worsening in a chronically sick rat) within your rats in the previous three-week period.
• attended another rat show within a three week period (this probably only applies during 'high risk' periods when infections are rampant within the fancy).

As a matter of routine do not bring rats to shows who are:

• very young,
• elderly,
• chronically unwell in any way (e.g. head tilt, nasal rattle),
• on (or had within the previous two weeks) any medications that might suppress immunity, like antibiotics, Metacam or steroids.

The stress will only make them more vulnerable to infection and you are putting them at risk.

Do not collect/transport rats from a show (or at any other time) without due consideration of their history. Make sure you satisfy yourself that the rats you are collecting/moving have been properly quarantined and have remained well for at least a period of three weeks. If this hasn't been possible the rats should not be brought into a show venue and you should take all necessary precautions to protect your own rats (e.g. not travelling them in the same car, quarantining them in a separate airspace on arriving home).

Do no bring any rat to a show that you have not owned for at least three weeks (and that has remained well throughout this period).

A word about shoulder rats
It is a sad fact that the serious bouts of infection tend to spread primarily through shoulder rats at shows. Rats that are exhibited in the show are generally in the prime of life and the peak of physical condition and fitness. This means that they are generally more robust. It may also mean that it is generally less stressful for a rat to spend the day quietly in its show tank than to be passed around from person to person in the thick of the show hall with all its noise, business and of course, other rats. The rats that are exhibited will be handled only by the judge, who is likely to be extremely experienced and able to spot signs of illness at a glance (thus disqualifying sick rats and washing hands as appropriate). Many different people, some of whom may have had very little experience of rat illness, often handle shoulder rats and will not wash their hands as they move from rat to rat. It is lovely to see rats at shows, but please check the shows page to determine whether or not shoulder rats are welcome at that show. If they are, please think carefully when you choose who to bring out for the day, and try to be aware of the potential risks and consider how you are going to avoid them.

The health and welfare of all of our rats relies on everyone being responsible and upholding these principles. Sadly this doesn't always happen and it is up to all responsible owners to ask questions, educate others and encourage good practice.